Abstract: A garage door operator has a microcomputer based control which is programmed to measure door position from full open position by counting motor revolutions and to determine motor speed and deceleration for each revolution. The program learns the open and closed position limits as well as force sensitivity limits for up and down operation with minimal user input. During normal door operation the closed limit and the sensitivity limits are adaptively adjusted to accommodate changes in conditions. The lowest up and down motor speeds in each operation are stored for comparison with motor speeds in the next like operation for obstruction detection. Motor deceleration is also monitored for obstruction detection. For a more sensitive obstruction detection during closing, the motor speed is mapped for each revolution for the last several inches of closing.

Abstract: A trolley roller assembly for use with a conveyor system and including a roller for rolling engagement with a track of the conveyor system and having a central bore, a trolley hanger, a pin member having a shaft portion passing through an aperture in the hanger and positioned in the roller bore, and a bearing interposed between the pin shaft portion and the roller. The pin member further includes an enlarged head portion positioned in the roller bore and forming an annular shoulder with the pin member shaft portion and the bearing comprises an outer race, a plurality of balls relatively mounted in the outer race, and an inner race formed in part by the pin member head portion and in part by a collar surrounding the pin member shaft portion and positioned against the annular shoulder of the pin member. The inner race is formed in part by an arcuate annular groove in the pin member head portion and in part by a complementary annular arcuate groove in the collar.

Abstract: Hydrophilic inter-penetrating network charge modified microporous membranes are provided as well as a method of preparing the membranes by casting a membrane matrix blend containing matrix polymer, a solvent system, a wetting polymer compatible with the matrix polymer, and a charge modified system which forms a cross-linked inter-penetrating network structure within the microporous membrane substrate during the membrane fabrication process which network structure optionally can be locked in by heat curing. The membranes are useful for filtering ultra pure water with 18 megaohm-cm resistivity for the electronic industry, and they can also be used for the removal of a variety of contaminants from fluid media, such as very fine negatively charged particles, bacteria and endotoxins, with greatly enhanced filtration efficiency.

Abstract: A protective cover for a vehicle formed of a sheet of protective material having a plurality of magnetic portions distributed at intervals throughout the sheet to secure the cover to the vehicle. The sheet is pleated or otherwise adapted to be disposed in a closed storage configuration. Adjacent magnets correspond spatially to one another so as to be magnetically attracted to one another when the sheet is folded or otherwise disposed in its storage configuration. Adjacent pairs of magnets are further separated from subsequent pairs of magnets to minimize overlap of the magnets and corresponding width of the folded sheet.Preferably, the sheet is formed of a plastic material, such as a nonwettable polyethylene material. Further, to adequately protect the vehicle from sunlight, the sheet should have an optical opacity of at least 80%.The invention is attached to a vehicle by initially attaching a portion of the cover to a portion of the vehicle using at least one of the plurality of magnets.

Abstract: An automatic clutch controller for a vehicle that reduces the oscillatory response to clutch engagement. The automatic clutch controller receives inputs from an engine speed sensor and a transmission input speed sensor and develops a clutch actuation signal controlling a clutch actuator between from disengaged to fully engaged. The clutch engagement signal at least partially engages the friction clutch in a manner to cause the measured transmission input speed to asymptotically approach a reference speed employing an approximate inverse model of this oscillatory response. In a launch mode, corresponding to normal start of the vehicle, the reference speed is the measured engine speed. In a creep mode, corresponding to slow speed creeping of the vehicle, the reference speed is a creep speed reference based on the throttle setting and the engine speed. The two modes are selected based upon the throttle setting.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for diagnosing the presence and extent of disease activity within a periodontal pocket. A dual electrode probe having a first, working silver electrode and a second, reference silver/silver chloride electrode is inserted into the pocket to take data measurements of the electrochemical potential between the electrodes while they are immersed in the fluid contained in the periodontal sulcus. The strength of the potential reflects the amount of sulfides within the sulcus fluid and reflects the presence and extent of disease therewithin.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of air in a conventional venturi-type carburetor. A small tube and a large tube connected by a tapered transition tube is placed inside and concentric to the venturi of a carburetor with the large tube being closer to the throttle valve of the carburetor. The cross-sectional area of the large tube should be in the range of two to three times that of the small tube. A collar or draw plate is mounted around the small tube to control the air flow in the passageway formed by the outside of the wall of the small tube and the interior of the venturi. An aperture is provided in the peripheral surface of the small tube to permit the main fuel-metering nozzle of the carburetor to extend into the interior of the small tube. Small air bleed holes may be provided in the peripheral surface of the apparatus to permit the travel of gaseous materials between the exterior and the interior of the apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible encapsulated photovoltaic device is prepared by disposing photovoltaic devices on a sheet of thermoplastic material, disposing a front encapsulant material atop the devices, and disposing a bottom encapsulant layer so as to provide a multi-layered structure. The multi-layered structure is rolled under tension so as to compress the layers and the roll is heated to activate the thermoplastic material and bond the layers together. Additional layers may be interposed prior to rolling.

Abstract: An igniter for a plasma processing apparatus comprises a hollow, at least partially microwave transmissive, body having a gas inlet and gas outlet passing therethrough. The geometry of the inlet and outlet are selected so that the outlet provides a greater impedance to gas flow than does the inlet. In this manner, there is provided a high pressure region in the igniter in which plasma ignition is facilitated. Ionized species generated in the igniter function to initiate plasma formation externally of the igniter.

Abstract: A book of removable forms such as a cheque book, also comprises interleaved counterfoils, secured at the fold line of the book cover, on which a copy is produced when the cheque is written. Separators are provided between cheques and respective counterfoils (except for the uppermost cheque which is ready to write). After writing and removing a cheque, its separator is automatically partially withdrawn by the action of folding back its counterfoil for storage in a pocket on the cover. The separator is then torn out and discarded, thereby preparing the next cheque to be written and copies made onto its counterfoil. The arrangement allows facsimiles of the cheques to be produced on the counterfoils, which are stored in a non-removable manner.

Abstract: In a position detection probe having a magnetostrictive wire stretched between a head and a reflective foot end termination, and a magnet displaceable along the probe and using the sonic pulse propagation time from the magnet to the foot as a position detection parameter, compensation for thermal expansion and thermal change of propagation velocity is made based on the property of the total propagation time along the wire length being a unique function of temperature and calibrating the probe at different temperatures to yield either equations or look up tables of true positions as functions of the total propagation time and the position detection parameter. By mapping wire characteristics at a plurality of magnet positions and temperatures to construct look up tables, wire nonlinearities as well as thermal effects can be compensated for.

Abstract: A robotic substrate manipulator constructed for substrate handling during thin film deposition in the vacuum of outer space. The robotic substrate manipulator includes a cassette holding a plurality of substrates preferably including six cassettes in a carousel. A circular cylinder encloses the carousel with an access door at a location accessible by a manipulator arm assembly. Substrates are retained within the cassette via a passive retention system. This manipulator arm assembly includes an arm with a gripper at one end. The gripper includes a pair of opposed fingers normally urged closed by at least one finger spring that may be opened by a solenoid. The manipulator arm assembly includes a vertical driver and a horizontal rotary driver permitting motion of substrates from the cassette to a processing station. Position gauges on both the vertical motion driver and the horizontal rotary motion driver permit feedback regarding the manipulator arm assembly position.

Abstract: Cationic charged semihydrophobic polyethersulfone (CSfIP) membranes having hydrophilic and semihydrophobic properties are provided, as well as preparation of the same by post-treatment. Typically, as an illustration, a microporous hydrophilic polyethersulfone membrane substrate which contains non-leachable polymeric additive having functional groups is treated in an alkaline solution for simultaneous or sequential reaction with 1) a primary charge modifying agent which is an epichlorohydrin modified polyamine, and 2) a secondary polymeric charge modifying agent containing a positive charge (or for reaction with the primary charge modifying agent alone); then baked until cured at elevated temperature; and finally washed and dried. The CSHP membranes are used in various applications such as the filtration of fluids and the macromolecular transfer of biomolecules either from electrophoresis gels or directly to immobilization on the membrane for hybridization and stripping.

Abstract: There is disclosed a two-piece brake backing plate for the attachment of drum brake components thereto. The main plate includes an open channel extending from the axle opening, to the rim thereof, for receiving the axle of a vehicle. A separate cover plate is provided which is releasably engagable with the main plate and further which overlies at least a portion of the channel. The open channel permits radial replacement of the plate to a vehicle axle housing and axle housing support flange while the axle is in situ.

Abstract: A combined subliminal and supraliminal message generator for use with a television receiver permits complete control of subliminal messages and their manner of presentation. A video synchronization detector enables a video display generator to generate a video message signal corresponding to a received alphanumeric text message in synchronism with a received television signal. A video mixer selects either the received video signal or the video message signal for output. The messages produced by the video message generator are user selectable via a keyboard input. A message memory stores a plurality of alphanumeric text messages specified by user commands for use as subliminal messages. This message memory preferably includes a read only memory storing predetermined sets of alphanumeric text messages directed to differing topics.

Abstract: A concentric hydraulic clutch actuator including a coil spring arranged to be stressed in response to expansion and contraction of the actuator and including end portions which are bent radially inwardly and coact with circumferentially spaced lugs on the cylinder and on the piston to preclude relative rotation between the piston and cylinder in either direction of relative rotation. Relative rotation in one direction is inhibited by contact of the bent portion with one of the lugs and relative rotation in the other direction is inhibited by abutting engagement of the end face of the bent portions with respective lugs.

Abstract: A clutch actuation system for use in engaging and disengaging the clutch of a manual transmission motor vehicle. The system includes a sensor sensing the rotary movement of the clutch pedal, an electric motor having a screw output shaft driving a ball nut mechanism engaging a clutch release member, a further sensor sensing the position of the ball nut mechanism and thereby of the clutch release member, and an electronic control module. The module compares the magnitude of the position signal received from the clutch pedal position sensor to the magnitude of the position signal received from the ball nut position sensor and operates in a closed-loop servo manner to move the clutch release member via the electric motor through a distance proportioned to the extent of pivotal movement of the clutch pedal so that the operator, by precise control of the extent of pivotal movement of the clutch pedal, can precisely control the extent of engagement or disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A monolithic array of photovoltaic devices includes a plurality of subcells electrically interconnected in a parallel relationship. The subcells are disposed upon a common, electrically conductive substrate and each includes an insulating region disposed upon the substrate and an electrode body disposed upon the insulating region. The subcells each include a photovoltaic semiconductor body disposed upon the electrode body and the array includes a continuous body of top electrode material disposed so as to cover each of the semiconductor bodies and to fill the space therebetween and establish electrical communication between the substrate and the semiconductor bodies. The substrate forms one terminal of the array and the conductive bodies are in electrical communication with a bus bar which forms the other terminal of the array. Also disclosed herein is a method for the fabrication of the array.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device which is resistant to shunt and short circuit defects developing between the opposed electrodes thereof. The photovoltaic device comprises an electrically conductive substrate, a semiconductor body including a photogenerative region, a layer of transparent conductive material, and means for collecting photogenerated current. In particular, a layer of low-conductivity material is operatively positioned between the layer of transparent conductive material and the collecting means, thereby resistively restricting the flow of electric current through short circuit portions. A method of fabricating such a shunt-resistant photovoltaic device is also disclosed.